3M and attorneys representing plaintiffs are nearing a more than $5 billion settlement to resolve hundreds of thousands of complaints by military veterans that the company's earplugs did not protect them from hearing loss., but negotiations are continuing and the final dollar amount has not been established, according to people familiar with discussions. The board of 3M has yet to vote on a proposed settlement to resolve the case.
The two sides nearing a deal comes after a tentative settlement in June for litigation over so-called forever chemicals in municipal drinking water. The agreement, which still requires court approval, in that case between 3M and municipal water providers couldThe earplugs, developed by Aearo Technologies, were created to protect a person from hearing explosions and other loud noises while allowing them to hear voices or softer noises.